An Analytical Study of Noble Eightfold Path in Theravada Buddhist Philosophy and the Ecological Equilibrium

Wijit Khoskaeo, Praves Intongpan

Abstract

The purposes of this study were as follows: 1. To study the ecological equilibrium 2. To study of Noble Eightfold Path in Therevada Buddhist 3. To analytical study of Noble Eightfold Path in Theravada Buddhist Philosophy and the ecological equilibrium. The results of the study found that important factors which compromise ecological imequilibrium are caused by the nature and humans. Especially humans are the main cause of the imequilibrium because of their unethical behavior to environment results in destruction of nature resources and ecosystem. The key factor that causes destructive and unfriendly human behavior to environment is anthropocentricsm which has a human-centered assumption of value. This considers that human-beings are master of the nature and concerned only about their own benefits.The methods to be used to maintain ecological equilibrium is the Noble Eightfold Path from Theravada Buddhism. First, Right View which is the view that relationship of all living and non-living things are valuable for both themselves and other things relating to them. When the view on the environment is right, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action including Right Livelihood on the environment will be also right. In addition, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration will support the practice of all the path. Practicing the Noble Eightfold Path has to follow these rules; ๑. Each path should be practiced in appropriate proportion as set in the conceptual framework. ๒. All paths should be practiced simultaneously .If humans can practice the Noble Eightfold path as the rules above, maintaining the ecological equilibrium will be acheived